Consultant for Ridge-to-Reef Research

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to accomplishing ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in the public and private sectors and collaborating with civil society organizations to turn big ideas into action.

Within our Agriculture, Forest, and Land Use (AFOLU) Program Cluster, we envision that critical ecosystems such as forests and peatlands across Indonesia will be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, keeping the global climate target below the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserving biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this by safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystems to improve productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services. Within WRI Indonesia, the AFOLU Cluster is implementing its activities under four Sub Clusters:

• Strengthening Forest and Peat Monitoring: We aim to enhance the monitoring capabilities of stakeholders, focusing on forests, peatlands, and landscapes. We aim to effectively support forest management and conservation efforts by leveraging scientific advancements. We are dedicated to combating illegal forest logging and advocating for thorough reviews of palm oil business licenses.
• Transforming Supply Chains and Livelihoods: Our mission is to drive the adoption of sustainable palm oil production practices at the national, regional, and global levels. We collaborate closely with government bodies, smallholders, and agriculture businesses, including palm oil, to ensure sustainable livelihoods and secure land tenure.
• Innovating Financing for Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Our commitment lies in financing nature-based solutions (NbS) projects. Through strategic investments and partnerships, we strive to find the most effective financing mechanisms and tools that ensure the long-term sustainability of NbS programs.
• Advancing Sustainable Food Systems: Our primary objective is to expedite the transformation of food and land use systems. We actively support the reform agenda for food systems, fostering positive outcomes for the environment, health, inclusive development, and food security. We aim to align these systems with globally agreed-upon sustainable development, climate, and biodiversity goals.

KONEKSI Research Project

WRI Indonesia, partnered with a few other organizations, was recently selected by KONEKSI, Australia's knowledge and innovation flagship program in Indonesia, as 1 out of 38 knowledge partnerships as the inaugural recipients of Environment and Climate Change Collaborative Research Grants. The grants are provided for the selected partners in recognizing their expertise, equitable partnerships, and impact on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

The proposed research will focus on 'Conserving Ridge to Reef: Integrated and Innovative Approach to Enable Sustainable Financing in Supporting Inclusive Climate Change Projects in Indonesia', and it will be implemented in Southwest Papua Province as soon as possible. The Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) approach presents a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable development,  taking into account the vital interconnectivity between forests, land use, and mangrove ecosystems, whereby  the conservation of upstream areas significantly impacts downstream ecosystems.

This project proposes pathways for an integrated and innovative sustainable financing mechanism and a decentralized governance framework that allows stakeholders a greater say in decision-making and minimizes the imbalance of power' to support inclusive ridge-to-reef climate change projects in Indonesia. Several methods will be employed to achieve the desired research outputs, including the co-development of baselines and tools for managing, integrating, and monitoring upland forests, watersheds, and mangrove forests, as well as the co-development of ridge-to-reef architecture that incorporates Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) indicators. Additionally, the study will incorporate GEDSI indicators to identify enabling conditions and mechanisms that facilitate equitable ridge-to-reef implementation.

Job Highlight

This position will be based in Manokwari or Sorong with frequent travel to Sorong and Raja Ampat to support KONEKSI research implementation by referring to research plan and engaging with various stakeholders on the ground. The Consultant will report to the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Research Senior Program Lead, who will also serve as KONEKSI Project Lead. She/He will also report to Senior Manager Regional Papua and work collaboratively with Papua Regional teams and other project-related personnel.

What You Will Do

Research Framework and Baseline

Under the guidance of the Project Lead, contribute to sharpening the research framework by providing the following information:

• Conduct a desktop analysis on the concept of R2R, and the current and potential R2R program implementation in Southwest Papua which can contribute to inclusive climate change programs;
• Identify and verify potential community groups to be assessed according to the needs of the project;
• Actively involved in planning, preparation, and implementation of any relevant research fieldwork to improve the research framework and collect baseline data;
• Produce activity reports promptly;
• Provide input to knowledge management and communication products prepared by the Papua Regional team;
• Provide support to strengthen the quality of various research projects the Papua Regional team conducted to create alignment of work between WRI Indonesia research.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Support the Project Lead in planning, developing, and implementing a data collection plan by referring to the research proposal;
• Conduct data collection on the ground, particularly on ecological dan geospatial data for the Ridge-to-Reef research as well as map and analyze potential sources of finance for climate change projects in Southwest Papua.
• Support the Project Lead in analyzing collected data by employing the agreed methods by referring to the research design;
• Manage data repository and archive system for the project and the Papua team.

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate discussions with targeted participants and other potential stakeholders;
• Facilitate the establishment of an institutional mechanism and ensure its functions after the mechanism is formed;
• Build and maintain good relationships with various stakeholders such as universities, local governments, regional partner institutions, and local communities who work on issues of forestry, environment, management of natural resources, and carbon finance in West Papua and Southwest Papua Provinces, especially Raja Ampat, Manokwari, Sorong, and Tambrauw Districts;
• Participate in discussions, meetings, and conferences;
• Identify potential stakeholders to expand engagement work whenever necessary.

What You Will Need

• Willing to be based in Manokwari or Sorong (West/Southwest Papua Province). Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Bachelor's degree in natural resources management, forest or marine conservation studies, environmental studies, geography, climate financing, or a related field is required. Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 3+ years of professional experience in strengthening empowerment, working with rural communities, local government, and/or other relevant stakeholders.
• Familiarity and proven experience engaging with various stakeholders in the Papuan region, especially those in Southwest Papua Province.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Indonesian for correspondence purposes, reports, and knowledge products.
• Willing to travel frequently to project sites and remote areas.
• Knowledge of operating Microsoft Office applications is essential.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Deliverables

Comprehensive monthly report that consists of achievement, work progress, and lessons learned, including but not limited to:

1. Research and assessment reports, including ecological and spatial analysis works;
2. Current and potential R2R implementation in Southwest Papua and proposed sustainable financing;
3. Outreach and engagement activities

Duration

This position is expected to start as soon as possible for an initial contract up to 31 July 2024.

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 18 working days per month.

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer:

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 10 November 2023. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, gender diverse communities, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country, and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.